Novell Acquires Ximian

UPDATE: In a Linux coup, the networking giant will pick up the developer of the Gnome open-source desktop interface and Mono, the open-source version of .Net. Ximian's CTO told eWEEK Gnome and Mono will stay on course.

Novell Inc. pulled off a Linux coup today by snapping up developer Ximian Inc., but according to Ximian's top developer, it will mostly be business as usual.

Ximian is noted for developing the Gnome open-source desktop interface and Mono, the open-source version of Microsoft Corp.'s .Net framework. Most recently, the company released Ximian Desktop Version 2, Professional Edition, which is...